N.J. Democrats jockey for top Assembly leadership positions as Sheila Oliver's first term ends

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerAssembly Speaker Sheila Oliver is seen in this file photo. Even if state Democrats hold the Assembly after the November elections, a deeply divided Democratic caucus puts Oliver's leadership re-election chances in doubt.

TRENTON — After two years of turmoil, some Democrats in the state Assembly are privately angling for the top leadership positions as Speaker Sheila Oliver’s first term draws to a close.

Oliver (D-Essex) says she plans to seek reelection as speaker, assuming Democrats hold their majority in next month’s election. While a complicated web of alliances would make ousting Oliver difficult, a deeply divided Democratic caucus — the result of a furious battle over benefits for unionized state employees — means she is not a sure bet.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), on the other hand, is said to face no such challenge.

One new name has already emerged as a potential Democratic Assembly leader: Assemblyman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson), who according to three party sources is trying to gauge his support among colleagues for a high-ranking position, either speaker or majority leader.

To add to the intrigue, two Democratic sources said South Jersey power broker George Norcross — who has been critical of Oliver in private but whose support was crucial to her ascendancy — recently met with state Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D-Hudson), a mentor of Prieto.

Also considering a run for speaker is Majority Leader Joseph Cryan (D-Union), a former state Democratic chairman who has long coveted the top post, the sources said.

Cryan has not hesitated to engage Republican Gov. Chris Christie in slashing exchanges — something Democrats complain is missing from current leaders — and has been raising money for Assembly candidates. Prieto and Cryan opposed cuts to public worker benefits, which Oliver supported despite the objections of most colleagues.

Prieto and Cryan declined to comment for this article, and Sacco and Norcross did not return calls. The sources requested anonymity because of the sensitive and fluid nature of internal party politics.

To a large extent, Democrats have been outmaneuvered by Christie, who quickly forged relationships with Democratic Party bosses — including Norcross and Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, who employs Oliver as a county administrator.

The infighting culminated over the summer in the battle over benefits that shredded historical alliances with unions, leaving many Democratic lawmakers steaming at their leaders.

Oliver still has her supporters, making a challenge to her authority at once perilous and potentially divisive.

Assemblyman Al Coutinho (D-Essex) called her a "model leader" whom he continues to support. "She’s shown a willingness to work with the governor, while standing up for her values," he said.

Gathering votes for Assembly leadership is no easy task, and a few weeks can seem like an eternity. Geography, gender and race all play a role.

Historically, the party that controls the Assembly holds an informal vote on its leadership shortly after the election, though Oliver would not say when she plans to call it.

She played down divisions within the party, and insisted she was the best person to lead the caucus.

"It’s often described that there are, quote, wings within the Democratic Party: Left, right and center," Oliver said. "I don’t believe that. I believe there’s one Democratic party in the state, and I believe I am a unifier."